Members of Bexley’s Global Scholars program presented their Take Action Projects at the TAP fair Wednesday, April 23 at Otterbein University.
Leader of Experiential Learning and Community Engagement Laura Moore said Global Scholars is a program based in central Ohio that gives students exposure to global issues. The students can participate in the program for three years, she added.
“Students get exposed to issues over year one and year two and are supposed to identify what they are passionate about,” she explained. “In year three, they work on an independent project called a Take Action Project, or a TAP.”
The students come up with an action they can take to address their specific issue, and at the TAP fair, they present their project, she added.
These issues are based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that focus on global matters, Moore said.
Junior Prudence Kiener said she focused on sustainability, working to switch the school’s current purchase model for graduation gowns to a rental model in the future.
“Graduation gowns are used and made every single year for one time use, so it just seemed there had to be a more sustainable way to go about it,” she explained.
Junior Kael Wilson said he focused on zero hunger and is actively working with the Bexley Sustainability Program to open a free community fridge.
“I chose this project because I love to cook, but I also enjoy seeing people be able to eat a full, healthy meal at the dinner table,” he added.
Junior Melinda Cohen repurposed old, unused bikes and donated them to the Developmental Assets Resource Network (DARN), an organization that provides assistance to Bexley families in need, she explained.
“I reached out to DARN to see if they needed anything, and they talked about bikes, so I started collecting old ones,” Cohen added.
While the students create projects that benefit the community, the program itself also helps the students who participate, Moore added.
Kiener said she gained confidence when engaging with experts. “I worked with professionals who have been working to make a more sustainable environment,” she explained. “I learned how to get my ideas across and feel that as a teenager, I’m still able to have conversations with adults.”
Cohen added while she became an expert at fixing bikes, she also became aware of her privilege.
“This project has really made me appreciate what I have more,” she added. “It also made me realize that even in a well-off community like Bexley, there are still people struggling with transportation and everyday needs.”
Moore said this program gives students a chance to be heard. “We live in an increasingly more virtual world, so opportunities to have personal interactions and conversations about topics you’re passionate about, especially with strangers, don’t happen all the time,” she said. “I think this is a chance for them to be seen as experts and to talk about something they put a lot of time, work and thought into,” Moore added.
She said the event concludes with students graduating from the program.
“I think there is a sense of pride and satisfaction that is always enjoyable as an educator to witness,” Moore explained.
“My favorite part is the moment you recognize the payoff for the student and they feel they have the ability to make a difference.”
